Maryalice (Duda) Gross a.k.a. Princess Zoey, of Bethlehem, PA died in the comfort of her home on Thursday, November 5, 2015 after serving as Commander General in her long battle against metastatic cancer. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter the late Marie (Maricka) and Adam Duda. Maryalice was a graduate of Freedom High School, NCACC with a degree in Nursing, and East Stroudsburg State College with a BS in Education.
She enjoyed many roles in her career, including nursing instructor at Reading Hospital School of Nursing and Supervisor of Health Nursing in Bloomington, IN. On her return to Pennsylvania, she changed fields to real estate appraisal but missed nursing and returned to a variety of healthcare roles, including Nurse Aide Instructor and Community Relations in Assisted Living, managing up to 15 locations in PA and NJ. After nearly 10 years, she sought a new adventure in clinical trial nursing.
She ended her career on receiving her own diagnosis of cancer. With positive nodes, Maryalice knew that metastasis was down the road. Three years later, she became the warrior we all knew she was. She worked with a number of doctors and care partners at St. Luke’s, Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, MD Anderson in Houston, and the University of Pennsylvania.
At home and on vacation, there always were books on the floor, on the table, and in her hand. She dabbled in many creative endeavors, including jewelry making and photography, which led to her painting. All her life, Maryalice never shied away from–but rather loved–anything new and challenging.
She will be sorely missed every day by her husband of forty-one years, Herman Mathew, and her sons, Jed Adam of Cleveland, and Jared Matthew of New York, and many friends and family. These include two cousins she was raised with, Maryanne Landis and Bernadette Morgan. She is very grateful to her friends Ingelise, Sue, Cantor Jill, Marcia, Anita and Gail, and especially thankful to St. Luke’s oncology nurse Carol K. Maryalice’s family would like to thank the St. Luke’s Hospice team who made it possible for her to live her final days in her own home.
The family will sit Shiva on Tuesday (Nov. 10) and Wednesday (Nov. 11) from 7 to 9 PM at the family home. A Memorial Service will be held November 15, 1:30 PM at the Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.
Contributions in memory of Maryalice may be made to the South Side Branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, 400 Webster St., Bethlehem, PA for children’s reading materials or to the Temple Covenant of Peace.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Susan Sosnow
November 6, 2015 at 8:33 am
Truly a good friend and an inspiration to all who battle cancer
All my love to the family
Charlotte Palmeri
November 6, 2015 at 7:50 pm
On behalf of her Braveheart sisters, know that Maryalice has left us with wonderful memories and we will miss her ever so much. It was a blessing to have experienced abundant life with her.
Christine Esposito
November 6, 2015 at 9:14 pm
Our Sweet Princess Zoey, you will be truly missed by your Braveheart Sisters. Fly High and Sprinkle your Magic over us all .
Kathy McClurg
November 6, 2015 at 9:35 pm
RIP Princess Zoey you were a true Braveheart , As Christine Esposito said you will be truly missed by your Braveheart Sisters. Fly High and Sprinkle your Magic over us all .
Tina Hart
November 6, 2015 at 9:39 pm
She was an amazing and inspirational woman who will be missed by all her Braveheart sisters. Sending my deepest sympathy and love to all the family. We will miss our dear Angel Fly High in Heaven. RIP my dear friend.
Carol Marino
November 7, 2015 at 8:28 am
Death leaves a heart ache no one can heal; loves leaves a memory that no one can steal. Rest in peace Braveheart sister.
Patricia Kery Donchez
November 7, 2015 at 1:15 pm
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Maryalice. I have known her almost all of my life from Packer Elementary to Broughal Junior High to Liberty High and Freedom High Schools. We had talked about getting together with some of our other classmates, but we couldn’t make it happen. I will miss talking to her through Facebook and keeping up with her courageous fight. I will miss you Maryalice. You are no longer in pain and suffering.
Kathy & Noel sardine
November 7, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Those we love don’t go away! They walk beside us every day!
We will miss you Maryalice! Rest in peace!
Kathy& Noel Sardine
Ronni Lynn Spoll
November 8, 2015 at 12:30 am
An inspiration to all whio knew her.
My condolences to Herman and the boys.
They will hold onto the wonderful lifetime of memories that the four of you made togethet and that and there love for each other and for you will see them through
Peace And Blessings to all if you.
Our lives were enriched for having known you and you will nit be forgitten by all who’s lives you touched throughout your life.
I am knitting and donating 25 colorful kidd chemocaps in your honor to St Judes Childrens Research Center in the hope of bringing comfort to the kids.
and I will also donate 25 chemocaps to St Lukes oncology inpatient unit because if the wonderful care you received there
Farewell My Friend, Rest In Peace
Bunny Kossifos
November 8, 2015 at 7:31 am
My condolences to Herman on losing your beloved wife, MaryAlice. I am only a client of Herman’s, but wanted to let him know of my deepest sympathy regarding the loss of his wife.
Cheryl Saul
November 8, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Fly high, Princess Zoey. You have earned that crown you wear. Sparkle on, my Braveheart sister.
Debby Kaplan Toussie
November 9, 2015 at 4:37 pm
My deepest condolences to you Herman on the loss of MaryAlice. She was an amazing woman and she will be sorely missed in this world. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your boys at this time of sorrow. Wish i was able to come to the memorial service, but I actually have to head out of town for a business trip that day.
Barbara Scherer
October 31, 2023 at 9:18 am
Here it is; another anniversary of MaryAlice’s passing. May God hold you in his arms as you remember the great times with her.
Blessings, Barb and George Scherer